Apparatus and method for managing a presentation of media content

ABSTRACT

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a media device operating externally to the communication device actively engaged in presenting media content, detect an incoming communication session initiated by another communication device, present a notice identifying the media device and the media content being presented by the media device, detect a directive to modify an operation of the media device to mitigate interrupting a communication session with the other communication device, and instruct the media device to modify its operation according to the directive. Other embodiments are disclosed.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to presentation techniques andmore specifically to an apparatus and method for managing a presentationof media content.

BACKGROUND

There are many types of media devices today such as for example MP3players, set-top boxes, DVD players, DVR recorders, CD players, and soon. It is not uncommon for an individual to engage in communicationactivities such as a phone conversation while media devices are in themidst of presenting media content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-2 depict illustrative embodiments of communication systems thatprovide media services;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal interacting withthe communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 4 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication deviceutilized in the communication systems of FIGS. 1-2;

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a method according to thepresent disclosure;

FIGS. 6-7 depict illustrative embodiments of the method of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, maycause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a communicationdevice having a controller to detect a media device operating externallyto the communication device actively engaged in presenting mediacontent, detect an incoming communication session initiated by anothercommunication device, present a notice identifying the media device andthe media content being presented by the media device, detect adirective to modify an operation of the media device to mitigateinterrupting a communication session with the other communicationdevice, and instruct the media device to modify its operation accordingto the directive.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail acomputer-readable storage medium operating in a communication devicehaving computer instructions to detect a media device actively engagedin presenting media content, detect an incoming communication sessioninitiated by another communication device, and instruct the media deviceto modify its operation to mitigate interrupting a communication sessionwith the other communication device.

Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail a mediadevice having a controller to present media content supplied by a mediacommunication system, notify a communication device in a vicinity of themedia device of the presentation, and receive a request from thecommunication device to modify the presentation of the media content tomitigate an interruption of a communication session between thecommunication device and another communication device.

Another embodiment of the present disclosure can entail signaling amedia device to modify a presentation of media content to mitigate aninterruption of a communication session between communication devices.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a first communicationsystem 100 for delivering media content. The communication system 100can represent an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) broadcast mediasystem. The IPTV media system can include a super head-end office (SHO)110 with at least one super headend office server (SHS) 111 whichreceives media content from satellite and/or terrestrial communicationsystems. In the present context, media content can represent audiocontent, moving image content such as videos, still image content, orcombinations thereof. The SHS server 111 can forward packets associatedwith the media content to video head-end servers (VHS) 114 via a networkof video head-end offices (VHO) 112 according to a common multicastcommunication protocol.

The VHS 114 can distribute multimedia broadcast programs via an accessnetwork 118 to commercial and/or residential buildings 102 housing agateway 104 (such as a common residential or commercial gateway). Theaccess network 118 can represent a group of digital subscriber lineaccess multiplexers (DSLAMs) located in a central office or a servicearea interface that provide broadband services over optical links orcopper twisted pairs to buildings 102. The gateway 104 can use commoncommunication technology to distribute broadcast signals to mediaprocessors 106 such as Set-Top Boxes (STBs) which in turn presentbroadcast channels to media devices 108 such as computers or televisionsets managed in some instances by a media controller 107 (such as aninfrared or RF remote control).

The gateway 104, the media processors 106, and media devices 108 canutilize tethered interface technologies (such as coaxial or phone linewiring) or can operate over a common wireless access protocol. Withthese interfaces, unicast communications can be invoked between themedia processors 106 and subsystems of the IPTV media system forservices such as video-on-demand (VoD), browsing an electronicprogramming guide (EPG), or other infrastructure services.

Some of the network elements of the IPTV media system can be coupled toone or more computing devices 130 a portion of which can operate as aweb server for providing portal services over an Internet ServiceProvider (ISP) network 132 to wireline media devices 108 or wirelesscommunication devices 116 by way of a wireless access base station 117operating according to common wireless access protocols such as WirelessFidelity (WiFi), or cellular communication technologies (such as GSM,CDMA, UMTS, WiMAX, Software Defined Radio or SDR, and so on).

It will be appreciated by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art that asatellite broadcast television system can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system. In this embodiment, signals transmitted by a satellite 115supplying media content can be intercepted by a common satellite dishreceiver 131 coupled to the building 102. Modulated signals interceptedby the satellite dish receiver 131 can be submitted to the mediaprocessors 106 for generating broadcast channels which can be presentedat the media devices 108. The media processors 106 can be equipped witha broadband port to the ISP network 132 to enable infrastructureservices such as VoD and EPG described above.

In yet another embodiment, an analog or digital broadcast distributionsystem such as cable TV system 133 can be used in place of the IPTVmedia system described above. In this embodiment the cable TV system 133can provide Internet, telephony, and interactive media services.

It follows from the above illustrations that the present disclosure canapply to any present or future interactive over-the-air or landlinemedia content services.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a communication system 200employing an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network architecture tofacilitate the combined services of circuit-switched and packet-switchedsystems. Communication system 200 can be overlaid or operably coupledwith communication system 100 as another representative embodiment ofcommunication system 100.

Communication system 200 can comprise a Home Subscriber Server (HSS)240, a tElephone NUmber Mapping (ENUM) server 230, and other commonnetwork elements of an IMS network 250. The IMS network 250 canestablish communications between IMS compliant communication devices(CD) 201, 202, Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) CDs 203, 205,and combinations thereof by way of a Media Gateway Control Function(MGCF) 220 coupled to a PSTN network 260.

IMS CDs 201, 202 can register with the IMS network 250 by contacting aProxy Call Session Control Function (P-CSCF) which communicates with acorresponding Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) to register the CDs with at the HSS240. To initiate a communication session between CDs, an originating IMSCD 201 can submit a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP INVITE) message toan originating P-CSCF 204 which communicates with a correspondingoriginating S-CSCF 206. The originating S-CSCF 206 can submit queries tothe ENUM system 230 to translate an E.164 telephone number in the SIPINVITE to a SIP Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) if the terminatingcommunication device is IMS compliant.

The SIP URI can be used by an Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF) 207 to submita query to the HSS 240 to identify a terminating S-CSCF 214 associatedwith a terminating IMS CD such as reference 202. Once identified, theI-CSCF 207 can submit the SIP INVITE to the terminating S-CSCF 214. Theterminating S-CSCF 214 can then identify a terminating P-CSCF 216associated with the terminating CD 202. The P-CSCF 216 then signals theCD 202 to establish communications.

If the terminating communication device is instead a PSTN CD such asreferences 203 or 205, the ENUM system 230 can respond with anunsuccessful address resolution which can cause the originating S-CSCF206 to forward the call to the MGCF 220 via a Breakout Gateway ControlFunction (BGCF) 219. The MGCF 220 can then initiate the call to theterminating PSTN CD by common means over the PSTN network 260.

The aforementioned communication process is symmetrical. Accordingly,the terms “originating” and “terminating” in FIG. 2 are interchangeable.It is further noted that communication system 200 can be adapted tosupport video conferencing by way of common protocols such as H.323. Inaddition, communication system 200 can be adapted to provide the IMS CDs201, 203 the multimedia and Internet services of communication system100.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a portal 302 which canoperate from the computing devices 130 described earlier ofcommunication 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The portal 302 can be used formanaging services of communication systems 100-200. The portal 302 canbe accessed by a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) with a common Internetbrowser such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer™ using an Internet-capablecommunication device such as those described for FIGS. 1-2. The portal302 can be configured, for example, to access a media processor 106 andservices managed thereby such as a Digital Video Recorder (DVR), a VoDcatalog, an EPG, a personal catalog (such as personal videos, pictures,audio recordings, etc.) stored in the media processor, provisioning IMSservices described earlier, provisioning Internet services, provisioningcellular phone services, and so on.

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication device 400.Communication 400 can serve in whole or in part as an illustrativeembodiment of the communication devices of FIGS. 1-2. The communicationdevice 400 can comprise a wireline and/or wireless transceiver 402(herein transceiver 402), a user interface (UI) 404, a power supply 414,a location receiver 416, and a controller 406 for managing operationsthereof. The transceiver 402 can support short-range or long-rangewireless access technologies such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Digital EnhancedCordless Telecommunications (DECT), or cellular communicationtechnologies, just to mention a few. Cellular technologies can include,for example, CDMA-1X, UMTS/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, EV/DO, WiMAX,SDR, and next generation cellular wireless communication technologies asthey arise. The transceiver 402 can also be adapted to supportcircuit-switched wireline access technologies (such as PSTN),packet-switched wireline access technologies (such as TCPIP, VoIP,etc.), and combinations thereof.

The UI 404 can include a depressible or touch-sensitive keypad 408 witha navigation mechanism such as a roller ball, joystick, mouse, ornavigation disk for manipulating operations of the communication device400. The keypad 408 can be an integral part of a housing assembly of thecommunication device 400 or an independent device operably coupledthereto by a tethered wireline interface (such as a USB cable) or awireless interface supporting for example Bluetooth. The keypad 408 canrepresent a numeric dialing keypad commonly used by phones, and/or aQwerty keypad with alphanumeric keys. The UI 404 can further include adisplay 410 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display),OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) or other suitable display technologyfor conveying images to an end user of the communication device 400. Inan embodiment where the display 410 is touch-sensitive, a portion or allof the keypad 408 can be presented by way of the display.

The UI 404 can also include an audio system 412 that utilizes commonaudio technology for conveying low volume audio (such as audio heardonly in the proximity of a human ear) and high volume audio (such asspeakerphone for hands free operation). The audio system 412 can furtherinclude a microphone for receiving audible signals of an end user. Theaudio system 412 can also be used for voice recognition applications.The UI 404 can further include an image sensor 413 such as a chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera for capturing still or moving images.

The power supply 414 can utilize common power management technologiessuch as replaceable and rechargeable batteries, supply regulationtechnologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy tothe components of the communication device 400 to facilitate long-rangeor short-range portable applications. The location receiver 416 canutilize common location technology such as a global positioning system(GPS) receiver for identifying a location of the communication device100 based on signals generated by a constellation of GPS satellites,thereby facilitating common location services such as navigation.

The communication device 100 can use the transceiver 402 to alsodetermine a proximity to a cellular, WiFi or Bluetooth access point bycommon power sensing techniques such as utilizing a received signalstrength indicator (RSSI) and/or a signal time of arrival (TOA) or timeof flight (TOF). The controller 406 can utilize computing technologiessuch as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and/or avideo processor with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM,SRAM, DRAM or other storage technologies.

The communication device 400 can be adapted to perform the functions ofthe media processor 106, the media devices 108, or the portablecommunication devices 116 of FIG. 1, as well as the IMS CDs 201-202 andPSTN CDs 203-205 of FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that thecommunication device 400 can also represent other common devices thatcan operate in communication systems 100-200 of FIGS. 1-2 such as agaming console and a media player.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative a method 500 operating in portions of theaforementioned communication systems. FIG. 6 shows an illustrativeembodiment of communication devices operating according to method 500.Block diagram 600 comprises a landline communication device 602 in theform of a tablet with a touch-sensitive display (herein referred to astablet 602). The tablet 602 can include communication technology tosupport both DECT and WiFi protocols. The tablet 602 can becommunicatively coupled to a base unit 606 by way of DECT and WiFi airinterfaces. A plurality of cordless handsets 604 can also becommunicatively coupled to the base unit 606 using the DECT protocol.

The base unit 606 can include communication technology forcommunicatively interfacing to a PSTN, VoIP or IMS network such as thosedescribed earlier. The base unit 606 can be coupled to anInternet/router modem 608 for communicatively interfacing to the ISPnetwork 132. The base unit 606 can provide the cordless handsets voicecommunication services, and the tablet 602 a combination of voice anddata communication services. The tablet 602 and cordless handsets 604can be equipped with common camera sensors 610 (such as CCD sensors)which can enable these devices to support video communication servicesand capture still images or pictures. The tablet 602 can also monitorthe activities of media devices such as the STB 106 by way of the baseunit 606 using a WiFi air interface.

With the configuration of FIG. 6 in mind, method 500 can begin with step502 in which a communication device such as the tablet 602 associatesone or more communication identifiers with one or more directives. Acommunication identifier in the present context can represent an E.614number, a SIP URI, an email address, and instant messaging address, anSMS address, and MMS address, just to mention a few. A directive canrepresent one or more instructions submitted to a media device tocontrol its operations. For example, a directive can represent aninstruction to be executed by the media device for pausing apresentation of media content. Another directive can represent aninstruction to lower speaker volume or mute an audible portion of thepresentation of media content. Other instructions are possible such as adirective to the media device or a DVR device coupled thereto toinitiate a DVR recording while the presentation of the media content ispaused.

Step 502 can be implemented by way of a graphical user interface (GUI)presented by the tablet 602. The associations can be performed by way ofentries in an address book, or independently by way of a specializedGUI. The associations can be recorded in step 504 and can beperiodically updated by reinitiating steps 502 and 504. In step 506, thetablet 602 can scan and detect one or more media devices activelypresenting media content. The tablet 602 can scan for media devices byway of the base unit 606 being communicatively coupled to otherWiFi-capable devices such as the STB 106 shown in FIG. 6.

Once a media device such as the STB 106 is detected, the tablet 602 candirect the STB 106 to provide information that describes itself (e.g.,STB family room) and information associated with the media content beingpresented. Media content in the present context can represent audiocontent, still or moving image content, or both. The STB 106 can providemetadata to the tablet 602 describing what is being presented (e.g.,Mission Impossible III), a speaker volume level of the media content isbeing presented, and the resource available to the STB to record themedia content (e.g., DVR). With this information in hand, the tablet 602can begin to monitor incoming communication sessions in step 508.

If an incoming communication session such as a voice or video call isdetected in step 508, the tablet 602 can proceed to step 510 where itretrieves a communication identifier (e.g., caller ID) from the call. Ifthe communication identifier matches an associated directive recorded instep 504, the tablet proceeds to step 520. In this step, the tablet 602transmits by way of the base unit 606 over the WiFi air interface theidentified directive to media device to modify the presentation of themedia content. The directive can represent for example muting thepresentation, pausing the presentation, lowering the volume ofpresentation, or some other mitigating factor defined by the directive.Other directives for modifying the presentation of the media content arepossible and therefore contemplated by the present disclosure.

Once the media device has modified the presentation of the mediacontent, the tablet 602 can proceed to steps 522-524 where it can takesteps to prevent loss of content. In these steps the tablet 602 candetermine whether the media content is a live broadcast and whether aDVR is available in step 524. If the media content is a live broadcast,and a DVR is available, the tablet 602 can direct the DVR in step 526 torecord the media content from the point at which it was paused. Steps520-526 can operate together in rapid succession (or contemporaneously)to prevent loss of content.

Once the presentation has been paused (and possibly being recorded by aDVR), the tablet 602 can accept in step 528 the communication requestfrom the other communication device (e.g., caller's mobile phone). Themodified presentation of the media content can reduce if not eliminatean interruption between the user of the tablet 602 and someone elsecommunicating with the user by way of the communication device thatinitiated the call. Once the communication session is terminated in step530, the tablet 602 can direct the media device to resume presentationfrom where it was paused. This step can represent a number ofinstructions directed to the STB and the DVR.

Referring back to step 512, when the communication identifier retrievedin step 510 matches an associated directive recorded in step 504, thetablet 602 can follow an automated path for mitigating an interruptionby media devices in a vicinity of the tablet. When a match, however, isnot detected, the tablet 602 can present its user in step 514 a noticethat identifies the media devices and media content being presented andan option to mitigate an interruption to the communication session if itis accepted. FIG. 7 shows an illustrative embodiment of step 514.

In this illustration, the tablet 602 presents a GUI with a messageindicating Sam Doe is calling. The notice also shows that the FamilyRoom TV is presenting the movie the Dark Knight. To mitigate aninterruption to the voice call with Sam Doe, the tablet 602 can offerthe user an option to pause the presentation of the movie by pressingbutton 702. If the selection of button 702 is detected in step 516, thetablet 602 proceeds to step 520 where it directs the STB 106 to pausethe movie. Steps 522-526 can be used to record the presentation if it isa live broadcast. If the movie is derived from a DVD player, the pauserequest can occur with no loss of content and steps 522-526 would beskipped.

If the user does not care to pause the presentation in step 516, theuser can select button 704 to answer the call, which directs the tablet602 to accept the communication request in step 518 without mitigation.In this instance, the user of the tablet 602 may have decided that thepresentation of the movie was acceptable while engaging in a voicecommunication with Sam Doe.

Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to anartisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can bemodified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope andspirit of the claims described below. Method 500 can be adapted so thatit applies to any form of communication: email, video call, instantmessaging, SMS, and MMS. Method 500 can also be adapted so that itapplies to all types of media devices including media players, gamingconsoles, and other devices which can potentially interrupt a userduring a communication session. Method 500 can also be adapted so thatthe communication device can also be communicatively coupled to mediadevices by a wireline interface such as wireline Ethernet. In yetanother embodiment, the communication device can represent a mobilephone, PDA, or computer.

Other suitable modifications can be applied to the present disclosurewithout departing from the scope of the claims below. Accordingly, thereader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding ofthe breadth and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine inthe form of a computer system 800 within which a set of instructions,when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operatesas a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networkeddeployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or aclient user machine in server-client user network environment, or as apeer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment.

The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktopcomputer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or anymachine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential orotherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will beunderstood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly anyelectronic device that provides voice, video or data communication.Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shallalso be taken to include any collection of machines that individually orjointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform anyone or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a mainmemory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each othervia a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a videodisplay unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, asolid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor controldevice 814 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 816, a signal generationdevice 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interfacedevice 820.

The disk drive unit 816 may include a machine-readable medium 822 onwhich is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824)embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions describedherein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 824may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the mainmemory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804and the processor 802 also may constitute machine-readable media.

Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to,application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays andother hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatusand systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety ofelectronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions intwo or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices withrelated control and data signals communicated between and through themodules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit.Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation as software programsrunning on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementationscan include, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containinginstructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a networkenvironment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and tocommunicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. Theinstructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network826 via the network interface device 820.

While the machine-readable medium 822 is shown in an example embodimentto be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should betaken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralizedor distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) thatstore the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readablemedium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by themachine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of themethodologies of the present disclosure.

The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken toinclude, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memorycard or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape;and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives is considered a distributionmedium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of amachine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein andincluding art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which thesoftware implementations herein are stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsimplemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standardsand protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switchednetwork transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) representexamples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodicallysuperseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentiallythe same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocolshaving the same functions are considered equivalents.

The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments,and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all theelements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use ofthe structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparentto those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Otherembodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structuraland logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing fromthe scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representationaland may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may beexaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, thespecification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative ratherthan a restrictive sense.

Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred toherein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merelyfor convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope ofthis application to any single invention or inventive concept if morethan one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments havebeen illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that anyarrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substitutedfor the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to coverany and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the above description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quicklyascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted withthe understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit thescope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing DetailedDescription, it can be seen that various features are grouped togetherin a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure.This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting anintention that the claimed embodiments require more features than areexpressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claimsreflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of asingle disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are herebyincorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing onits own as a separately claimed subject matter.

1. A first communication device, comprising: a display; a memory; awireless transmitter; and a controller coupled to the display and thewireless transmitter, wherein the memory stores computer instructions,and wherein responsive to executing the computer instructions thecontroller performs operations comprising: associating a communicationidentifier with a directive to mitigate interrupting a presentation ofmedia content caused by a communication session between the firstcommunication device and a second communication device; recording theassociation in an address book; detecting a media device external to thefirst communication device actively engaged in presenting the mediacontent; receiving from the media device metadata descriptive of thepresentation of the media content; detecting an incoming communicationsession initiated by the second communication device; detecting thecommunication identifier associated with the incoming communicationsession; detecting the directive from the recorded association of thecommunication identifier and the directive; and wirelessly transmittingfrom the first communication device to the media device an instructionto modify the presentation of the media content as described by themetadata according to the directive responsive to detectingestablishment of the communication session between the first and secondcommunication devices.
 2. The first communication device of claim 1,wherein the media device corresponds to one of a set-top box, a mediaplayer, or a gaming console.
 3. The first communication device of claim1, wherein the first communication device corresponds to one of a mobilephone, a land-line phone, or a computer, and wherein the communicationsession corresponds to one of a voice communication session, a videocommunication session, an instant messaging communication session, ashort messaging service communication session, a multimedia messagingservice communication session, or an email communication session.
 4. Thefirst communication device of claim 1, wherein executing the computerinstructions causes the controller to perform operations comprisingpresenting a notice including an option which when selected directs themedia device to pause the presentation of the media content.
 5. Thefirst communication device of claim 4, wherein executing the computerinstructions causes the controller to perform operations comprising:detecting the selection of the option; and directing the media device topause the presentation of the media content.
 6. The first communicationdevice of claim 5, wherein executing the computer instructions causesthe controller to perform operations comprising direct a media recordercommunicatively coupled to the media device to record the media contentwhile the media presentation has been paused.
 7. The first communicationdevice of claim 5, wherein executing the computer instructions causesthe controller to perform operations comprising directing the mediadevice to resume the presentation of the media content.
 8. The firstcommunication device of claim 7, wherein the media device is operable toresume the presentation of the media content from a demarcation pointestablished at a time the presentation of the media content was paused.9. The first communication device of claim 4, wherein the noticeidentifies the media device by name and describes the media contentbeing presented.
 10. The first communication device of claim 1, whereinthe media content corresponds to one of audio content, image content, ora combination thereof.
 11. The first communication device of claim 1,wherein the first communication device operates in at least one of acellular communication system, a public switched telephone networkcommunication system, a voice over internet protocol communicationsystem, an internet protocol television communication system, a cabletelevision communication system, a satellite television communicationsystem, or an internet protocol multimedia subsystem communicationsystem.
 12. The first communication device of claim 1, wherein executingthe computer instructions causes the controller to perform operationscomprising: associating one or more communication identifiers with oneor more corresponding directives; recording the one or moreassociations; and identifying the association between the communicationidentifier and the directive from the recorded one or more associations.13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a firstcommunication device, comprising computer instructions, which whenexecuted by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor toperform operations comprising: associating a communication identifierwith a directive to mitigate interrupting a presentation of mediacontent caused by a communication session between the firstcommunication device and a second communication device; recording theassociation; detecting a media device actively engaged in presenting themedia content; receiving from the media device informationcharacterizing the presentation of the media content; detecting anincoming communication session initiated by the second communicationdevice; identifying the communication identifier from the incomingcommunication session; identifying from the recorded association thedirective associated with the communication identifier; and wirelesslytransmitting an instruction from the first communication device to themedia device to modify the presentation of the media content ascharacterized by the information according to the directive to mitigateinterrupting the presentation of the media content responsive todetecting that communications have been established between the firstand second communication devices.
 14. The non-transitory storage mediumof claim 13, wherein the media device comprises one of a set-top box, amedia player, or a gaming console, wherein the first communicationdevice comprises one of a mobile phone, a land-line phone, or acomputer, and wherein the media content comprises one of audio content,image content, or a combination thereof.
 15. The non-transitory storagemedium of claim 13, wherein executing the computer instructions causesthe at least one processor to perform operations comprising presenting anotice with an option which when selected directs the media device topause the presentation of the media content.
 16. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 15, wherein executing the computer instructionscauses the at least one processor to perform operations comprising:detecting the selection of the option; and directing the media device topause the presentation of the media content.
 17. The non-transitorystorage medium of claim 16, wherein executing the computer instructionscauses the at least one processor to perform operations comprisingdirecting a media recorder communicatively coupled to the media deviceto record the media content while the media presentation has beenpaused.
 18. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 16, whereinexecuting the computer instructions causes the at least one processor toperform operations comprising: detecting a termination of thecommunication session; and directing the media device to resume thepresentation of the media content responsive to the termination.
 19. Thenon-transitory storage medium of claim 18, wherein the media device isoperable to resume the presentation of the media content from ademarcation point established at a time the presentation of the mediacontent was paused.
 20. The non-transitory storage medium of claim 13,wherein the first communication device operates in at least one of acellular communication system, a public switched telephone networkcommunication system, a voice over internet protocol communicationsystem, an internet protocol television communication system, a cabletelevision communication system, a satellite television communicationsystem, or an internet protocol multimedia subsystem communicationsystem.